Sounded like Fuze leaned toward atheism. Of course, this was a world where a real-life monster with superhuman powers could get worshipped as a god by the locals. They, at least, you could meet up with and see for yourself. That must’ve made them seem more reliable. Even Luminus only offered protection to the people she knew, at first, and she didn’t figure in Fuze’s life at all. He just relied on himself instead—a little self-serving but certainly easier to come to grips with.
“Yeah, well, I can certainly understand why people want to pray to a higher power. But in life, you get what you’re dealt, you know? Anyway, regardless of what Luminus may or may not bless us with, the Church and I are even now, and that’s all I need.”
Knowing Luminus personally taught me just how meaningless praying to her was—but not much point saying that. Sometimes prayer really can give a person strength. It wasn’t for me to comment on.
Fuze smiled. “Very true. It’s a load off my shoulders as well.”
I got the feeling he was depressed about failing to stop the Church after I asked him to put the screws to them a bit. I just appreciated him looking out for me.
We chatted for a while more over past events before I stood up, recalling something.
“Anyway, I better get going soon, but I want you to take this.”
I removed an envelope from my pocket and handed it to Fuze. It contained an invitation to the Founder’s Festival I was planning; we had gotten so caught up in conversation I had almost forgot about it. This was why I came here today, after all.
“What’s that?”
“Well, I’m gonna be holding my demon lord coronation soon, and I figured it’d be a good opportunity to advertise my town to the world. We’re calling it the Founder’s Festival, and the way I picture it, it’s gonna be a huge blast. We’re sending invites to all the royalty and nobility in the region, and I’d love for you to attend, too.”
“Huhhh?! Wait a minute, Sir Rimuru. What would inviting someone like me accomplish—?”
“No, no, it’s no big deal! I have an invite here for the king of Blumund, too. Can you make sure he gets it?”
“Well, couldn’t you give it to him directly—hmm? Maybe not, eh…?”
“Nah. I gave the dwarven king and Archduke Erald their invites personally, but I don’t have many contacts in the other nations.” I smiled. “I’ve met your king once, but I don’t think a demon lord would be invited to his throne room, would he?”
“It’s distressing enough for a demon lord to be in Blumund at all.” Fuze snickered back. “But thank you for this. I’ll be sure this reaches the king.”
My errand was now done, and I was about to depart but was stopped at the door. “Oh, right! I needed to mention that the grand master was concerned about you. Negotiating with the Western Holy Church was a huge headache for him, so I’ll be sure to say you’ve worked things out.”
Yuuki was worried? A lot had happened since we last met. I was starting to miss him.
“Ah yeah. I must have put a lot on his plate.”
“Oh, not really. The Guild has no interest in making an enemy out of the Church, after all. If you were able to settle your differences without a fight, we couldn’t ask for anything more.”
That was nice to hear. But I still felt like I owed the Guild something.
“I know! I think I’ll invite Yuuki, too. You think he’d mind?”
“Hmm, hard to say. Not that I can speak for him, but he is a busy man. I’m not sure if he can make the time for it or not.”
“Well, I can give him an escort to and from the event, so I’m sure he can attend at least one day, you know? If not, I can stop by to see him sometime soon. So give him this for me…”
As Fuze watched, I wrote out a letter to him and included it in the envelope with the invites. Fuze winced at me a little as he accepted it.
“Sir Rimuru, where did you get that paper from…? Actually, on second thought, don’t tell me. Can’t you magically send it to him yourself? I’ll do it, but…”
He looked tired. Maybe I was asking one too many casual favors.
“Ha-ha-ha! Sorry about that. Thanks.”
“Sure thing, Sir Rimuru.”
“Oh, and Milim’s coming, too.”
I felt it best to be just as casual with that bombshell as he took the envelope.
“Milim? Oh no…”
“Okay, see you there!”
With a smile, I half ran out from the office while he shouted after me: “Wait! You don’t mean that Milim, do you? Heeeeey!!”
Let’s just pretend I didn’t hear.
As I escaped from the Guild building, a man leaped out from behind a corner at me, taking a respectful knee.
“I, Gob’emon, am here at your summons, Sir Rimuru!”
This man was one of the hobgoblins I named. Pretty ambitious guy. I think Rigur told me he and Gobta were fighting for the vice captain spot back when he was running our village forces. He had the strength to back that drive, of course…
“Hmm? Hey, weren’t you a lieutenant? You went to another unit after Gobta started captaining the goblin riders, didn’t you?”
A lieutenant, in Tempest’s armies, was an officer who could be assigned a unit to lead if needed. They didn’t necessarily have one to lead, which meant that captains were naturally above them, but it was still a much higher rank than the sergeants leading teams of five to ten people.
“Yes, my lord. I was never one to serve below others, you see, so I thought I would work as an individual for now. Someday soon, I’d like to assemble my own direct command and lead a unit myself.”
Hmm. Sounds like he’s got some real backbone. He gave up his chance at
